Exceptionnal Louis XVI Freestanding Mahogany Writing Desk - 63¾"

This exceptional freestanding French Louis XVI–period flat writing desk with raised back section, circa 1780, is a finely conceived and beautifully proportioned piece, crafted in warmly toned mahogany. Moulded on all four sides and raised on square tapered legs with chamfered edges terminating in finely cast gilt-bronze sabots, it is fitted throughout with refined brass hardware. Its stepped architectural profile and strict symmetry reveal a desk designed to be viewed from all sides and placed at the center of a room, elevating it beyond a purely functional object to a true focal point.

The façade opens with five drawers arranged symmetrically across the front, offering generous storage while maintaining visual balance. The top is fitted with lateral pull-out slides on both sides, extending the working surface when needed, and is covered in dark brown leather. At the center, a broad panel lifts upward to form a writing slope. The slope is released by a discreet button and raised on an adjustable supports that allows the angle to be varied, a refined example of late-18th-century mechanical ingenuity.

The desk’s stepped profile rises to a raised back section fitted with fluted tambour doors, which slide open to reveal two rows of neatly arranged compartments, providing orderly storage while reinforcing the desk’s architectural clarity and restrained elegance. A softly timeworn surface, consistent with age, enhances the piece’s character and authenticity. Overall condition is good; one slide is missing its small handle, and there are no keys.

Equally sculptural and practical, this desk makes a rare and striking centerpiece in a library, study, or refined living space. Designed to stand freely within a room, its extending slides and generous writing surface easily accommodate plans, drawings, or reference volumes, while the raised slope invites focused work. Its measured geometry, warm patina, and architectural clarity allow it to bridge contemporary and traditional interiors with effortless chic and quiet authority.